Judgment

MISRA, J. :- These two sets of appeals by special leave are directed against a common order of the Andhra Pradesh Administrative Tribunal, Hyderabad dated the 20th Aug., 1980; the first one by Y. V. Rangaiah and others, and the other by the State of Andhra Pradesh and another. By the said order the Administrative Tribunal disposed of two representation Petitions Nos. 302 of 1978 and 1036 of 1978. As the two sets of appeals raise common questions of law, they are being disposed of by, a common judgment.

2. The petitioners in the two representation petitions are working as Lower Division Clerks in the Department of Registration and Stamps, Andhra Pradesh. Rule 4 (a) (1) (i) of the Andhra Pradesh Registration and Subordinate Service Rules, lays down that all first appointments to a service, State or Subordinate, and all promotions in a service otherwise than in accordance with clause (ii) of sub-rule (b) of R. 34 shall be, made by the appointing authority or the authority specified in sub-rule (c), as the case May be from a list of the approved candidates. The rule further provides that such list shall be prepared in the prescribed manner by the appointing authority or any othe